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JAC Exclusive Interview with author
Commissioner Joe Noland
“Still! The Church Culture Clash”
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STILL is Noland’s latest book.
J.A.C.: How many books have you
published now, sir? (include co-author creations!)
JN: 19 with two more in the oven. I’ve
just finished co-writing a book with Dick Hagerty, National
Advisory Board member, Emeritus. Its title is, “The Salvation
Army Advisory Organizations: Achieving Greatness.” I’m also in
the final stages of a companion piece to my latest book, which
you are showcasing here. Its working title is, “REIGNITE the
Genesis Person Within: A ‘How-To’ Manual Using the ‘Rader’
Detection System.” Look for them both soon.
J.A.C.: How have your books changed
since A LITTLE GREATNESS?
JN: I conclude “STILL!” with an “Author
Disclaimer.” It finishes with this quote from Mark Twain:
“Life would be infinitely Sun-Shinier
if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually
approach eighteen.”
As I write this, I’m celebrating
birthday #87. “A Little Greatness” was written approaching
birthday #50. I interpret “Sun-Shinier” as more wizened and
experienced. Or as the lyrics of that old Johnny Nash song say
(also in the disclaimer), “I can see clearly now the rain is
gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Here is that rainbow
I’ve been praying for. It’s gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny
day.”
I have a passion for the health of the
church, in general, and more specifically, The Salvation Army
because it’s where I live, work, and play. Looking backward
and then forward, I can honestly see more clearly now. I would
say that my writing has progressively taken on more of a
“warning” tone. Some would use the word, “prophetic,” and if,
by definition, that is truth-telling then so be it.
J.A.C.: Tell us how you came to Jesus
and to where you are now?
JN: I’m glad you asked this question
because the answer is exactly what drives my passion and
inspires the content of these books. A complete answer can be
found in my autobiography, “The ERAS of His Way.” My first
Salvation Army officer mentor, the one who led me to Jesus,
was Major Ed Henderson, a creative, daring, innovative
pioneering spirit, and a great role model. I desperately
wanted to emulate him because I saw a combination of Jesus and
Catherine Booth in him.
There’s an old saying, “Old soldiers
never die, they just fade away.” My greatest fear is that the
daring, pioneering spirit, that raised up the Army is fading
away with them. This compels me to keep waving that red flag.
And where am I now? Fading away—nearer to heaven than I’ve
ever been, both literally and spiritually.
J.A.C.: What sparked your fascination
in changing the world?
JN: Hmm. I’ve never thought of myself
as a world changer. I wrote a book setting out my vision for
the USA Eastern Territory, after being appointed as TC. Its
theme: “Together, we can change the world.” Hence its title,
“No Limits Together.”
Jesus commanded us to “Go ye into all
the world and, together, change it one person at a time.”
That’s according to the JNV (Joe Noland Version). I can’t
pinpoint when “Think big,” became part of my life ethos. I’ve
always been a dreamer, which has gotten me into trouble more
than once.
The Salvation Army was born out of a
desire to change the world. I’ve always been fascinated by
that early-day visionary, daring, pioneering spirit. This is
the spirit we should STILL be emulating.
J.A.C.: What’s the dust-cover summary
of STILL’s contents?
JN: The book’s premise is that,
culturally, we are stuck in the “STILL.” Many of us are
“STILL” doing it the way our forefathers did, sans the
visionary, innovative daring spirit. Or we have now become the
forefathers, “STILL” fastened to our own inherited culture,
inflexibly.
Not that the culture of our
forefathers, or that of our own is bad. Perhaps parts of it
are now outdated and ineffective, but not bad. No, we should
rejoice in their effectiveness at the time, and in those parts
that are still productive. It’s the “dead” or “dying” parts
that are most concerning here.
Two interesting characters, Mr. Li
Ability and Ms. Vi Ability assist in narrating the book, which
is formatted into three sections: 1) Appealability 2)
Adaptability 3) Creatability. Each section is analyzed from a
modern and postmodern perspective and concludes with a
postmortem. I leave it there as a teaser.
J.A.C.: Who will want to read it?
JN: Anyone seriously concerned about
the future of the Church/Army. And, of course, for the
Kingdom’s sake.
J.A.C.: Catherine Booth has significant
stage time in your pages.
How does Jesus feature in this book?
JN: Catherine Booth is one of my Army
heroes—the quintessential innovative, daring pioneering
spirit. I only know her through her writings or from those who
have written about her. It’s quite simple, really. When I see
CB, I see Jesus.
Every book I write is an extension of
the previous one. You must read my other books to grasp how
Jesus features in this book. Let me refer specifically to one,
“UH-OH! The Evangelical Left-Right Dilemma.” In the opening
chapter, I write:
“So, I look for mentors and role models
to help guide me through this conversion journey—all the way
back to New Testament times. Who else but Jesus? Then I quote
this verse:
“Then Jesus went to work on his
disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me
lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from
suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how.”
(Matthew 16)
J.A.C.: You wrote an ‘Open Letter’ to
present and future leaders – how has this been received? (the
book having been ‘out’ for a number of months at this point)
JN: Frankly, I don’t know. I’ve had no
feedback either negative or positive. Perhaps it has something
to do with that old Aesop fable, “The boy who cried wolf.”
After a while, they tune you out. Let me be quick to say that
I also offer this apology in the Author Disclaimer:
“What I have presented in these pages
is not an indictment upon present-day evangelical leaders, not
one iota, as those I know are some of the best. For me, the
book is exactly what it says, a postmortem on every
generation, mine included. We were guilty of foisting our
standards, customs, and sacred cows on succeeding generations.
We must assume our share of the blame, and for that, I
apologize.” Maybe I should’ve put this disclaimer at the front
of the book.
This said, I would welcome feedback on
the “Open Letter.”
J.A.C.: What should salvationists take
away from absorbing this book?
JN: Not a headache, hopefully. First,
perhaps a heartache for those XYZ’ers who are leaving the
church in droves. Second, an awakening to the creative
possibilities for reaching and pulling them back into the fold
in droves.
J.A.C.: How would The Army look
different if we embrace the message of this book?
JN: We would be younger-looking, more
adaptable, creative, and flexible. As leaders, we wouldn’t be
afraid to have our authority questioned and would be much more
open to the collaborative process. And, as a bonus, maybe a
few more tattoos and piercings.
J.A.C.: What’s your hope for your book?
JN: When we were young Territorial
Youth and Candidate’s Secretaries, we had t-shirts designed
with the inscription, “The HOPE of the Army.” The word “HOPE”
was cleverly designed with the Army colors, yellow, red, and
blue. An old Army chorus was incorporated into our promotional
package:
The hope of the Army is the young folk
Believe me when I say
The hope of the Army is the young folk
Who are coming up today
We’re all very grateful to the old folk
Who started the Army on its way
But the hope of the Army,
Yes, the hope of the Army
Is the young folk of today
Refreshing this message and reaching
the XYZ’ers, is my hope for this book. And not just for the
Army but for the church in general.
J.A.C.: What’s your hope for The Army?
JN: DITTO!
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